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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Capiz Shell Chandelier or Wind Chime

Way back around Christmas time I had been seeing some chandeliers made of wax paper circles in the likeness of capiz shells around various blogs. I loved the look and wondered what it would be like to make a real capiz shell chandelier. Then while browsing around a local decor store I found a capiz shell wind chime that was broken. They ended up giving it to me at half off (score!) so I took it home with plans of remaking it.

I started out by making two new circles with piano wire (putting two circles together to make it double thickness), wrapping it with a very fine gauge wire, then wrapping it entirely with brown floral tape.

Then I cut four equal lengths of jewelry chain, wrapped it around the wire circle and used a thick gauge jump ring to secure it.

I cut four more lengths and gathered them at the top with a metal ring for hanging. I cut off the strings of capiz shells and, hanging it from the light in our dining room, started tying them on the new frame.

After much cutting and tying this is the result...

The chandelier is now for sale in my "Cat on a Limb Accessoriz" Etsy shop. (See my sidebar) I had some leftover capiz shells that I will be listing for sale as well.

Have any of you done any capiz shell or wax paper "shell" projects?

I'm linking up to all the awesome link parties on my Blog Link Parties page.

PS: Today is the last day to enter my first ever giveaway on my blog, and I'd love if you'd stop by and enter! Check it out: http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-first-giveaway-and-introducing-your.html

This turned out amazing! I was just looking online the other day at a craft store that had capiz shells. I was debating buying a bunch of shells and making my own. great job! Hope you will swing by my Meet-up Monday party tomorrow at The House Creative

Oh, my goodness! I have something very similar in my family room that I did like this. Mine wasn't so labor intensive, but I slipped a capiz shell wind chime over a spray painted ugly pendant light. Yours is so pretty, too!

Hi, Catherine! I really love this capiz shell chandelier not only because it is so lovely but also because it reminds me of my birth country where capiz shells are seen everywhere... from jewelries, lampshades, table top, window panels... your chandelier turned out really gorgeous! I am featuring tthis today! be sure to grab a featured button. thanks for linking up and I hope to see you again this week! have a nice weekend! ^^)